4-H Livestock Club Hosts Poultry Day Camp
Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club Leader Stacey Warden, hosted a 4-H Poultry Day Camp on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office. A total of 18 youth between the ages of 5 and 15 attended the day camp. The youth were served breakfast and participated in ice-breaker games before getting started with the educational portion of the camp.
During the first portion of the camp youth were introduced to poultry and how to care for them, using information from a Poultry Animal Science program available from the UF/IFAS Jackson County 4-H Office. Following a round of the egg drop game where youth used their STEM skills to design and create a device that would prevent the egg from breaking during a drop onto the sidewalk, youth were given an overview of Embryology and the life cycle of chickens that included a craft activity, candling eggs and handling live chicks. The youth were instructed on the many uses of poultry that included learning how to exhibit and show poultry. Participants were given an opportunity to select chicks, provided by Mrs. Warden, to take home with the understanding that they raise them to bring back and enter to show at the Panhandle Youth Expo that will be held at the UF/IFAS Jackson County Ag Center on October 19th – 22nd 2015.
As a result of participating in this camp, five new youth enrolled in Jackson County 4-H. Participants in the day camp experienced a safe and supportive environment. Youth gained knowledge in the production, care, feeding and exhibition of poultry. They also learned the growth stages of embryology.
4-H Agent Angel Granger had this to say about the success of the day camp, “As an agent, there is no greater satisfaction than to see the hard work and dedication of a 4-H volunteer like Stacey Warden, result in a successful educational opportunity for youth. This day camp incorporated numerous examples of the Statewide 4-H Plan of Action: Initiative 7, Preparing youth to be responsible citizens and productive members of the workforce. The Jackson County 4-H Youth Development Program strives to develop programs that supplement formal education, enhance life skills development, and prepare youth for tomorrow’s workforce. Participation in 4‐H clubs such as the Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club provides the positive, supportive environment youth need to succeed. School enrichment, day and residential camps, and other types of programs introduce youth to longer‐term learning experiences. Participation in 4‐H clubs and other educational activities, helps youth develop science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) literacy and helps them develop an interest in learning that will equip them to succeed in a rapidly changing society and global economy. We are training youth to be responsible, developing their ability to become leaders, and engaging them in their community. We encourage them to develop healthy lifestyles and to get outdoors to appreciate the nature, agriculture, and natural resources of Jackson County. The Jackson County 4-H Youth Development Program is truly blessed to have dedicated 4-H Volunteers like Stacey on our team!”